Wiggins said her legislation will help local government agencies better plan for growth.

“SB 1645 requires the California Energy Commission to update its planning guide and to include two model general plan elements: one to address energy issues and one to address climate change,” Wiggins said.

“As local governments join the state in addressing climate change, we must try to provide local governments with the tools and guidance they need to succeed,” she added. “SB 1645 will help provide that guidance.”

The commission is currently charged with preparing plans for dealing with energy shortages, and serving as a central repository for the collection, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information on all forms of energy supply, demand, conservation, public safety and research.

State law also requires cities and counties to adopt general plans which reflect long-term goals and policies that guide local land use decisions. The plans are required to contain several specific elements: land use, circulation, housing, open space, conservation, safety and noise.

After reviewing the energy aware planning guide, Wiggins felt it was important to update the document to stress the importance of climate change and energy to local government planning. But "rather than requiring local governments to include a climate change element in their general plans, SB 1645 will create an overall model element to assist local governments when undergoing their general plan updates," she said.

Wiggins represents the state’s Second Senate District, made up of portions or all of six counties: Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.

Now that it has passed the Senate, SB 1645 next goes to the Assembly for consideration.

For more information on SB 1645 or other legislation by Sen. Wiggins, please visit her Web site at http://dist02.casen.govoffice.com/.

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CLEARLAKE – Westamerica Bank's charitable foundation has donated $1,000 to fund building materials for Habitat for Humanity's 11th house.

Pictured above, in a photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity, construction volunteers, branch mangers of the Clearlake Branch of Westamerica Bank and members of the RV-Care-a-vanner traveling volunteer group pose in front of recently framed house No. 11 in Clearlake.

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Visitors will find a link to helpful information through the “Welcome” section of the senator’s Web site, including a downloadable PDF document in brochure format.

“Homeownership is a source of tremendous pride and an important milestone on the road to achieving the American Dream,” Wiggins said. “Unfortunately, more and more Californians are facing the possibility of home foreclosure due to unforeseen circumstances.”

Legislators have introduced a number of bills designed to help.

Wiggins is co-authoring two of those bills: SB 1055, authored by Sen. Mike Machado (D-Linden), which would provide state income tax relief to borrowers who have had mortgage debt forgiven by their lenders; and SB 1137, authored by Senate Leader Don Perata (D-Oakland), which would enact a comprehensive package of foreclosure reforms designed to prevent unnecessary residential foreclosures from further worsening the state and local economy and housing markets.

“While we hope to get those bills approved soon, information is currently available to assist individuals who may be facing home foreclosure,” Wiggins said. “Through my Web site, people will be able to find helpful info, along with a list of organizations that may be able to help them get through the difficult times and help them keep their homes.”

Wiggins represents the North Coast, including Lake County, in the State Senate.

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The doors open at 9 a.m. and the meeting begins at 10 a.m. Come early to browse the quilt library, sign up for special events and socialize.

“Discovering the Artist Within Through Quilts and Wearable Arts” is the topic and Melinda Bula of El Dorado Hills is the speaker.

Bula has had a varied career, first as a flight attendant, then designing wallpaper and quilts, and most recently writing her first book, “Cutting Garden Quilts.” See her Web site at www.melindabula.com for samples of her award-winning work, featuring lush flowers and glowing colors.

Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild welcomes all quilters and prospective quilters to its meetings and events. Through a variety of programs and projects, the quilt guild members learn new skills and techniques, benefit the Lake County community, and enjoy themselves immensely.

For more information, contact Dottie at 462-7036 or Donna 262-1201, or visit the Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild Web site at www.LLQG.org.

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The event will begin at noon at the Middletown Methodist Church, located on Armstrong Street.

EcoArts of Lake County will serve lunch, which costs $4 per person.

Reservations are not necessary, but seating is first-come, first-served, with a lunch seating limit of 50.

For more information contact Helen Whitney, 928-9812.

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Clearlake Wal-Mart store manager presents check to Flotilla Commander Betty Strach. Pictured, from left to right, is DA Butts, Flotilla finance officer; Bill Hulse, Wal-Mart sports department manager; Jerry Collins, Flotilla project coordinator; Flotilla Commander Betty Strach; Coleen Lee, assistant store manager; Store Manager Mike Crowder; and Jack Gerhardt, assistant Flotilla project manager. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY – US Coast Guard Auxiliary Lake County Flotilla 88 has been awarded a $1,000 Community Grant from the Clearlake Wal-Mart store. The grant will be used for a “Children’s Life Jacket Giveaway Project.” This will be the fifth year that Wal-Mart has supported the life jacket project.

The grant – along with funds from the Flotilla special project fund and donors Pati and Jack Gerhardt, Richard Thomas, Disney Water Sports, Betty Strach and Verlyn Newell, Dane Hayward, DA and Leona Butts, and Jerry and Nita Collins – will be used to purchase children’s life jackets and give them out free of charge till supplies last.

On Sunday, May 18, which marks the beginning of “National Safe Boating Week,” Flotilla members will set up in the Clearlake Wal-Mart parking lot and hand out the children’s life jackets free starting at 10 a.m. and will continue until supplies run out.

Children under the age of 12 and under 90 pounds must be accompanied by a parent/guardian and will be fitted and educated in the proper use and care of the life jacket. There will be a limited supply for children under 12 and over 90 pounds.

The project coordinator is Flotilla member Jerry Collins.

“The project was created by my wife and former member and Flotilla Commander Nita Collins. She was moved to do so after the drowning of a child on Clear Lake six years ago,” he said.

Betty Strach, current Flotilla Commander said, “This is the perfect project for both Wal-Mart and the Coast Guard Auxiliary. At the national level Wal-Mart is a member of the National Recreational Boating Safety Committee and our core mission is recreational boating safety.”

This year the Flotilla will be joined by “Chipper” from the California Highway Patrol and Smokey from Cal Fire. The California Highway Patrol also will set up a courtesy children's car seat safety check booth. They will check and instruct on safe installation to ensure maximum safety for children.

“We will have a captive audience and we want to include our partner agencies that have vital public safety programs” said Collins.

Also, on hand this year will be the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s radio-controlled boat “Coastie,” programmed with boating safety messages.

“I would like to thank the staff at the Clearlake Wal-Mart, especially Assistant Manager and Community Grant Coordinator Coleen Lee and Sports Department Manager Bill Hulse for their awesome support of this worthy project,” said Collins. “Without them it would not happen.”

The US Coast Guard Auxiliary is the civilian volunteer arm of the US Coast Guard. The core mission of the Auxiliary is recreational boating safety and the motto of Team Coast Guard is “Semper Paratus” (Always Ready).

For more information on the Coast Guard Auxiliary contact Betty Strach at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-513-5122.

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